Canada HC Dave Cameron makes his thoughts on discipline issues at WJC crystal clear

Team Canada coach Dave Cameron would have been upset following Tuesday's 4-1 loss to the United States, although he may be even more upset with his team's discipline.

The Canadians committed a whopping 11 minor penalties in the New Year's Eve matchup with the rival Americans. This gave the US seven power play opportunities, which they converted three times on goals from Cole Hutson, Danny Nelson and Cole Eiserman.

During his media availability, Cameron was asked how he would address the discipline issues in the future.

"Can't, in terms I can't address it. They know it. They know that penalties are penalties. You know you can talk all you want. Its a short tournament. They have to decide. Simple as that," Cameron said.

He was then asked if he would send a message by benching guys or potentially limiting their ice time.

"Tournament is too short for that, right? That's, that's the thing about a tournament you can't, you can't start benching everybody that takes a penalty now it's too long," Cameron added.

"They have to decide. It's an individual thing. It's a character thing. They have to decide. And I think they will, pretty sure they will. I mean, they've been, they've been dangling there. They really got burned tonight. And I think lesson learned."

Dave Cameron is putting the onus on his players to be more disciplined moving forward.

Dave Cameron and Team Canada have a tough quarterfinal matchup on Thursday

After finishing third place in the Group A standings, Dave Cameron and Team Canada have to pay the price of facing a much tougher opponent to begin the elimination rounds at the WJC. Team Canada finished with a 2-0-1-1 record, good for seven points in the group stage.

They will take on Team Czechia who finished second place in Group B, with a record of 3-0-0-1, good for nine points. In comparison, finishing first in Group A with a 3-0-1-0 record, the United States will face the fourth seed in Group B, Team Switzerland who went just 1-0-0-3.

The puck drops at the Canadian Tire Centre for Canada vs Czechia on Thursday at 7:30 p.m. EST.